2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Speedometer needle goes full travel on start

[Loren]

Occasionally, when I start my 2000 24-valve truck the speedometer needle will move to 120 mph (the top-end peg) and then back down to zero. It's almost like it's doing a self-test, except that it only does it occasionally.



I asked the service manager at the dealer about it, and he had never heard of anything like that.



Does anyone know what's up? Do I need to worry about this? It has been going on for a year or so.



Loren

 

[jrollins]

if the Vehicle speed sensor or VSS is malfunctioning this is a common occurrence. it well began like how you described then it will completely fail, spedo will be all over the place. i think your 2k should have the vss on the rear differential, its about $50-75 from the dealer. its a pretty common failure. :--)

 

[Loren]

Chip,



Thanks for the info. It looks like it takes quite a while for the VSS to fail. The speedo has been doing this for at least a year. It does seem to be doing it more often lately. Maybe it's getting closer to total failure.



I guess I may want to dig out my service manual and look up the procedure for changing the sensor. I may also even buy one, so I'll have it when it finally dies entirely.



Thanks again.

Loren